Attorney Amy Messer has been chosen as the next Legal Director of the Disabilities Rights Center. Messer replaces Ronald Lospennato, who accepted a position with the Southern Poverty Law Center in New Orleans.

Messer has been with the DRC since 1999, most recently holding the position of Senior Staff Attorney. Her work has encompassed class action and impact litigation, as well as legislative advocacy and individual representation. Her practice includes litigation in state and federal court, as well as appellate work in the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the US First Circuit Court of Appeals. Her work has included cases in most areas of disability rights law, including special education, Medicaid, employment discrimination and denial of services to persons with mental illness and developmental disabilities. Prior to joining the DRC, Messer was Assistant Director at the New Hampshire Public Defender Program.

“Amy was a natural choice to be Legal Director at DRC”, Executive Director Richard Cohen said. “She is a highly skilled trial attorney, has considerable management experience, is a very caring person, and has a deep commitment to the goals of the disability rights movement. I look forward to working with her in her new position in addressing the needs of the people we serve.”

“The Disabilities Rights Center has had an immeasurable impact on advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities in New Hampshire” said Messer, “and I am excited about taking on this new position as we continue to strive towards ensuring equality, opportunities, and quality of life for all individuals.”

Amy Messer is on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire and a member of the legal panel of the NH Civil Liberties Union.

The DRC is New Hampshire’s designated Protection and Advocacy system, and is dedicated to eliminating barriers existing in New Hampshire to the full and equal enjoyment of civil and other legal rights by people with disabilities. More information about DRC can be found at http://www.drcnh.org.

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